Timm & Theresa's Cross-Country RV Trip

Harmonizing with Natural Order

I’m reading 365 Tao Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao. If you’re not familiar with Tao (pronounced Dow), it’s a east Asian philosophy that helps one align with the underlying natural order of the universe. It teaches the way to harmonize one’s will with nature in order to achieve ‘effortless action.’ Here are a few excerpts from this past week’s readings.

February 3: Life is a constant series of opportunities. If we don’t reach out for things, if we don’t take advantage of what comes our way, then we cannot be in harmony with the essential nature of life. Whatever comes to you, you must engage it somehow. You receive it, you may alter the circumstances and let it go, you may interject something of your own into it, or you may knowingly let it pass. Whatever you do, there is no need to be apathetic toward life. Instead, full participation in all things is the surest way to happiness, vitality, success, and deep knowledge of Tao.

February 7: Wherever you are, the sky constantly meets the horizon. It conforms absolutely with the earth’s surface. No matter what circumstances life may present, we must adapt exactly, whether we think the situation is good or bad.

February 11: When one walks in the woods or climbs mountains, there’s a wonderful unity of body, mind, and spirit. Away from the madness of society, one is freed to observe nature’s lessons. There are a thousand meanings in every view, if only we open ourselves to see the scripture of the landscape.

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